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Inclement Weather Guidance

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Because court proceedings impact many people, including jurors, deputy marshals, litigants, attorneys, and support staff, a judge may cancel or delay proceedings due to inclement weather, even when a courthouse is physically open for business. The determination to hold, delay, or cancel a scheduled court hearing is solely at the discretion of the presiding judicial officer. The information below provides general guidance for each division.

Abilene, Amarillo, Lubbock, San Angelo, and Wichita Falls Divisions

A court employee will notify all those affected if a court proceeding will be cancelled or delayed due to inclement weather.

Dallas Division

The judges of the Dallas Division have agreed to be guided by the decision of the Dallas Independent School District (DISD) regarding closures or delays when school is in session. If DISD is closed due to inclement weather, all court proceedings will be cancelled. If an individual judge chooses to depart from this policy, or if DISD is not in regular session during an inclement weather event, a court employee will communicate with each affected litigant, attorney, deputy marshal, or juror to provide instructions.

Fort Worth Division

Judge McBryde: A court employee will notify all those affected if a court proceeding will be cancelled or delayed due to inclement weather.

Judge O’Connor and Judge Means: If FWISD is closed due to inclement weather, all court proceedings will be cancelled. If FWISD is not in regular session during an inclement weather event or if the judge decides to depart from this policy, a court employee will communicate with each affected litigant, attorney, deputy marshal, or juror to provide instructions.

District Clerk’s Office

The U.S. District Clerk’s Office is open 24/7 through the Electronic Case Filing system. Physical office hours at each division may be altered due to inclement weather as determined on a case-by-case basis.

The Northern District of Texas covers a large territory, and road conditions vary greatly throughout the district. It is our intent to open each District Clerk’s Office during regular business hours unless road conditions are too hazardous for an emergency crew to reach the office. Any delays or closures of the District Clerk’s Office will be posted on the homepage of this site.